Labor & Employment

GNC Holdings Inc. on Thursday posted dismal results for its fourth quarter and said it was suspending its quarterly dividend in a move to reduce its debt.   The nutritional supplements retailer posted a loss of $433.4 million, or $6.35 a share, compared to a profit of $42.9 million in the year-ago period. Excluding certain items, earnings came in at 7 cents per share, well below the 36 cents that Wall Street analysts expected.  

Retailers may have a new way to spread the word about their job openings.   Facebook now allows businesses in the United States and Canada to post available positions on their company pages or in the new “Jobs on Facebook” bookmark. Facebook users can also see job posts in their news feed, and alongside other posts on Facebook’s business pages, the social network said.   

Walgreens Boots Alliance is losing its chief merchandising and marketing officer.   Linda Filler, Walgreens' president of retail products and chief merchandising and marketing officer, will depart the retailer effective April 1. Filler has been in the role since January 1, 2015. Prior to joining the drug store chain, she was president of Claire’s Stores. Before Claire’s, Filler served as was executive VP and chief merchandising officer for Sam’s Club,   

The formerly high-flying Nasty Gal has been brought down to earth — and not in a good way.   The bankrupt fashion retailer will close its two Los Angeles-area stores by the end of February, the Wall Street Journal reported.    On Feb. 8, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California approved the sale of Nasty Gal’s intellectual property and customer database to British online fashion retailer Boohoo.com, which is seeking to speed up its expansion in the United States. 

As data breaches become more complex, they leave a lingering, if not lasting imprint on an enterprise.   While there are many factors that play a significant role in data breaches and cybersecurity incidents, the human element remains the top source contributing to cybercrimes, according to the “2017 Data Breach Digest,” from Verizon.  

CBL & Associates has named Curt Hammontree VP of development. In nearly 18 years with the company, he has worked on 18 mall and outlet developments, the most recent being an outlet project in Laredo, Texas.   “Curt has been a valuable contributor to CBL’s successful development,” said president and CEO Stephen Lebovitz. “We are pleased to be able to recognize his many achievements with this promotion.”  

A key advisor to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has been appointed to a new position in the company — one that reflects its continued focus on delivery infrastructure.   Maria Renz, who served as technical advisor to Bezos for the past two years, has been named to the new role of VP of delivery experience, reported Recode.   

These are tough times for outdoor/sporting goods retailers.   Gander Mountain is reportedly considering filing Chapter11 bankruptcy protection, according to Reuters.    Founded in 1960, Gander Mountain specializes in fishing, camping and hunting gear and accessories, and bills itself as “America’s firearms superstore.”